Multi-functional case for holding a digital device such as a cell phone

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses a case for holding and carrying a digital device such as a cell phone or a personal digital assistant. The case includes a body having a front panel, a back panel, two opposing sides each connected between the front panel and the back panel, and a bottom. The case has an opening that leads to an inner compartment which is adapted to hold the digital device. One of the panels further includes a money clip for securing bills to the case.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a non-provisional application of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/464,971, filed on Mar. 14, 2011, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to cases for holding digital devices, and more particularly to cases for holding cell phones and personal digital assistants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of cases for holding digital devices such as a cell phone are already known. In one common design, the case simply has an opening for inserting a cell phone into the case. The case can then be stored in a pants pocket or a jacket pocket as the user goes about their day. In this design, a user may stuff items such as pens, credit cards, and bills into the case along with the cell phone, but the items often fall out when the cell phone is pulled out of the case to make or receive a call. A major deficiency with cases such as this is that they only function as a cell phone case and are not particularly useful as a wallet. This necessitates the user carrying both a wallet and the cell phone case on their person, which can be a major inconvenience.

In another common design, a case has an opening for inserting a cell phone into the case and a belt clip for attaching the case to a belt. The case may also have a cover that prevents the cell phone from falling out of the case and some internal compartments for storing documents, pens and other items. Such a case is quite bulky because the belt clip is often made out of plastic and is designed to set the case a distance away from the belt for ease of retrieving the cell phone from the case. Such a case is also not very useful as a wallet in addition to holding a cell phone because it is not designed to hold money and credit cards and its bulkiness prevents the case from fitting into a standard pants or jacket pocket. Therefore, a user often carries around the cell phone case and a separate wallet throughout the day.

There is therefore a need for a case for holding a cell phone which overcomes or mitigates one or more of the defects of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its broad aspect, the invention provides a case for holding a digital device such as a cell phone. The case includes a body having a front panel, a back panel, two opposing side panels each connected between the front panel and the back panel, and a bottom. The case has an opening that leads to an inner compartment which is adapted to hold the digital device. One of the front and back panels further includes a money clip for securing bills to the case.

In another of its aspects, the invention provides a case for holding a digital device, in which the outer surface of the front or back panels includes at least one slot for holding cards such as a bank card or a credit card.

In another aspect, the invention provides a case for holding a digital device wherein the slot for holding a credit card and the money clip are on different panels.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a case for holding a digital device such as a cell phone. The case includes a body having a front panel and a back panel. The front panel and the back panel are joined together at the sides to form a pocket with a bottom. The body further includes an opening leading to the pocket for holding the digital device. At least one of the panels has attached to it a money clip for securing bills to the case.

In another broad aspect, the invention provides a case for holding a cell phone. The case includes a body having a front frame, a rear panel and bottom. Two sides are positioned between the front frame and the rear panel. The body includes an inner compartment for storing the cell phone. A cell phone may be placed in the case via an opening in the front panel. One or more flanges on the front panel prevent the cell phone from falling out of the case when the case is in use.

In an aspect, the rear panel includes one or more windows. The one or more windows are positioned so that one or more components of the cell phone, such as a camera lens and flash, are useable through the rear panel when the cell phone is positioned in the case.

In another aspect, the case includes a ring for attaching an item such as a lanyard to the case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a cell phone case of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the cell phone case of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is front view of the cell phone case of FIG. 1 showing a cell phone inserted into the case;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the case of FIG. 1 showing a money clip in partially open position;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a case of the invention;

FIG. 6 a front view of a cell phone case of the invention;

FIG. 7 a is a front view of another case of the invention showing a cell phone inserted into the case; FIG. 7 b is a rear view of the case of FIG. 7 a;

FIG. 8 a is a rear perspective view the case of FIG. 7 a; FIG. 8 b is a front perspective view of the case of FIG. 7 a;

FIG. 9 is a front view of another case of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the case of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a front view of another case of the invention.

Like reference numbers and designations in ┐┐┐ the drawings indicate like elements.

DESCRIPTION

Reference is first made to FIGS. 7 a, 7 b, 8 a, 8 b to describe an embodiment of a case for holding a digital device such as a cell phone 200 in accordance with the invention indicated generally by reference numeral 500. The term cell phone will be used throughout this document to refer to a variety of digital devices such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a digital camera, a tablet computer, etc. as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The case includes a body 514 for holding the cell phone 200. The case 500 may also function as a wallet by providing a money clip 506 for securing bills 300 to the case 500 and one or more slots 502 for storing credit cards 302 or other cards in the case 500.

The body 514 may include a rear panel 504 and a front frame 511. Two side panels 508 and a bottom panel may be positioned between the front frame 511 and the rear panel 504 for defining a compartment. The compartment may substantially correspond with the body of the cell phone 200 or a general class of cell phones. The front frame 511 defines the front of the body 514 and the rear panel 504 defines the back of the body. In an embodiment, the compartment may be accessible from the opening 510 in the front frame 511. In an embodiment, the front frame 511 may be designed so that the opening 510 substantially corresponds with the shape of cell phone 200 so that a substantial portion of the cell phone 200 is viewable and/or useable when the cell phone 200 is secured in the case.

In an embodiment, the rear panel 504 may include at least one slot 502. The slots 502 are adapted to carry items commonly found in wallets such as credit cards, bank cards, identification, etc. and are thus sized appropriately. In one embodiment, the slots 502 may be adapted to snugly contain at least one credit/bank card 302 so that the card 302 does not fall out of the case 500 even if the case 500 is inverted.

As shown in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, case 500 may include a second rear panel 505 that is hingedly connected to rear panel 504 described herein above. Second rear panel 505 may be adapted to swing away from the body as shown in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, so that a user may place items in between the rear panel 504 and second rear panel 505. In an embodiment, rear panel 504 and second rear panel 505 are attracted magnetically. Second rear panel 505 may comprise one or more magnets 506 a as shown and rear panel 504 may comprise material that can be magnetized, or vice versa. It will be understood that rear panel 504 and second rear panel 505 may be fastened together using other suitable mechanisms such as by hook and loop fasteners, buttons and the like. As shown, the interaction between second rear panel 505 and rear panel 504 functions as a money clip 506, allowing a user to store bills 300 and other documents to the case 500. The hinged connection between the rear panel 504 and the second rear panel 505 may include a spring mechanism that ensures that that the second rear panel 505 closes automatically should the user forget to close the second rear panel 505. The hinged connection may be a hinge, a flexible piece of material, and/or the like that allows second rear panel 505 and rear panel 504 to move relative to each other.

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b show the second rear panel 505 in a position away from the case 500. FIG. 10 shows the second rear panel 505 in a position towards a case 600. It will be appreciated that the term “away” simply means that there is space in between the rear panel 504 and the second rear panel 505 to insert and/or retrieve bills. The term “toward(s)” means that there is no space between the rear panel 504 and the second rear panel 505 to insert and/or retrieve bills.

In an embodiment, front frame 510 includes one or more flanges 512 that prevent the cell phone 200 from falling out of the case though opening 510. Flanges 512 may comprise a flexible plastic so that cell phone 200 can be inserted into the case 500 via opening 510 and pressed in behind flanges 512. Flanges 511 may be of sufficient rigidity to prevent cell phone 200 from falling out of the case 500 via opening 510 a. Any such material that allows one article to snap into place with another article used for flanges 512 and/or body 514.

Referring next to FIG. 9, another embodiment of the case of the invention is indicated generally by reference 600. Case 600 includes a body 614 having a rear panel, a front frame and two sides positioned between the front frame and the rear panel. In an embodiment, case 600 may also include a bottom panel and top panel as well. Front frame 611 may include one or more flanges 612 that operate to keep the cell phone 200 securely in place within the body 614 if desired by the user. In an embodiment, rear panel 604 and/or second rear panel 605 may include one or more windows 618. The windows 618 may be holes in the rear panel 604 and/or second rear panel 605 that are positioned so that a camera lens, camera flash, infrared transceiver, and the like may be used even when the cell phone 200 is secured in the case 600. It will be appreciated that the one or more windows 618 may be positioned in a predetermined fashion to correspond with the location of a camera lens (for example) of a known cell phone 200 and/or the windows 618 may be generally positioned so that a wide variety of cell phones may be accommodated. Windows 618 on rear panel 604 and second rear panel 605 may be aligned so that a continuous path if provided for camera lens, flash, transceiver, etc. can function appropriately while cell phone 200 is in the case 600.

Referring next to FIG. 11, a case 700 of the invention is shown. Case 700 includes a body 714 having an internal compartment (not shown) for storing a cell phone 200. Body 714 may include one or more of the following: a front panel, a rear panel, side panels, and a bottom panel. In an embodiment, body 714 comprises a continuous wall that is formed to accommodate cell phones of known shapes and sizes. Case 700 may include a top fastener 720 which can be secured after the cell phone 200 is placed within the compartment of the body 714. Fastener 720 can be fastened using known techniques (such as via a button, hook and loop fasteners, etc.) to prevent the cell phone 200 from falling out of the case 700. In an embodiment, case 700 may also include a ring and/or loop 730 for connecting one or more of several items to the case. For example, a user may attach a lanyard 724, keychain (not shown), etc. to the case 700 to make the case 700 easier to carry and/or change the look of the case 700. It will be appreciated that the body 714 may comprise any suitable material such as plastic, cloth, synthetic and/or natural leathers, metal, etc. In an embodiment, the body 714 is contoured to fit a user's hand such that case 700 functions as a fashionable clutch case and/or is easier to carry.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 1-6 to describe an embodiment of a case 100 for holding a digital device such as a cell phone 200 in accordance with the invention indicated generally by the numeral 100. Preferably, the case 100 includes a body 114 for storing the cell phone 200. The case 100 also functions as a wallet by providing a money clip 106 for securing bills 300 (not shown) to the case 100 and one or more slots 102 for storing credit cards 302 (not shown) or other cards in the case 100. The body 114 includes an opening 110 for inserting the cell phone 200 into the body 114 where the cell phone 200 is stored in an internal compartment (not shown). The body 114 includes two panels 104. One of the panels 104 defines the front of the body 114 and the other panel 104 defines the back of the body, although it should be appreciated that the terms front and back do not refer to a preferred orientation of the case 100 during use, only that the front and back panels 104 are different sides of the case 100. The case also includes two sides 108, each of which are placed between the panels 104. Together, the sides 108, the panels 104, and a bottom (not shown) define the internal compartment which is adapted to store the cell phone 200 in the case 100.

In an embodiment, one of the panels 104 includes at least one slot 102. The slot 102 may be on the outside of the panel 104 as shown, or in another embodiment, the slot 102 may be located on the inside of the case 100. The slots 102 are adapted to carry items commonly found in wallets such as credit cards, bank cards, identification, etc. and are thus sized appropriately. In one embodiment, the slots 102 are adapted to snugly contain at least one credit/bank card 302 so that the card 302 does not fall out of the case 100 even if the case 100 is inverted.

The case 100 also includes a money clip 106 for securing bills 300 to the case. In one embodiment (as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5), the case 100 has a money clip 106 on one of the panels 104. The other panel 104 has two slots 102 for storing credit cards 302. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the case 100 may incorporate one of several designs of money clips 106. For example, the money clip 106 may use one or more magnets 106 a, a spring, a clasp and/or a button to secure the bills 300 to the case 100. One of the money clip 106 and the panel 104 may include at least one magnet 106 a, while the other may be magnetized. In an embodiment, the magnetic money clip 106 used on case 100 has a slim design which allows the case 100 to easily fit into a standard clothing pocket. The invention also contemplates the money clip 106 being designed to function as both a money clip and a belt clip depending on the needs of the user. In an embodiment, both a money clip 106 and a belt clip are included. In one embodiment, the body 114 has one or more change pockets so that the user can carry change in addition to bills 300. The change pockets may be fastened using magnets, hook and loop fasteners, a zipper, buttons, etc. as will be appreciated.

In yet another embodiment (as shown in FIG. 6), the case 100 has two panels 104 which are joined together via sides (not shown). The case 100 also has a bottom for supporting a cell phone 200 when cell phone 200 is inserted into the case 100. The sides and the panels 104 together with the bottom define an internal compartment for receiving the cell phone 200. In this embodiment, one of the panels 104 includes at least one slot 102 and a money clip 106. The money clip 106 is designed to safely secure bills 300 and the slots 102 are designed to snugly carry credit cards and bank cards 302. In this way, the panel 104 that includes the money clip 106 and the slots 102 functions as a wallet. The other panel 104 (not shown) may include a variety of other features such as a clip for securing the case 100 to a belt and/or a transparent window for viewing the cell phone 200 screen. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that a variety of other configurations may be implemented on the case 100. For example, the case 100 may also include one or more pen holders, one of several mechanisms for securing the cell phone 200 in the case, one or more windows for viewing the cell phone and/or documents, internal or external pockets for storing documents larger than credit cards, a holder for securing a USB flash disk to the case, a mechanism for storing glasses, and the like.

In yet another embodiment, the case 100 has a body 114 shaped as a pocket, such as is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the body 114 is formed from two panels 104 and a bottom (not shown) to give the case a thin streamlined appearance. Such a design does not include rectangular sides; rather the panels 104 are attached directly together. The panels 104 and the bottom define the compartment for holding the cell phone 200.

It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the body of any of the cases of the invention may be made from one or more materials that are commonly used to make wallets and other cases. For example, the case 100 may be made wholly or in part from leather, plastic, nylon, denim or any other suitable material. The sides may be constructed out of a flexible material capable of expanding or collapsing so that the case can accommodate devices of varying thickness. In another design, the invention provides that the body is expandable so that the user can carry a myriad of items such as documents, other digital devices, personal effects, etc.

The cases 100, 500, 600, 700 may include a variety of features to protect the cell phone 200. The cases may include, for example, foam padding (not shown) within the internal compartment. Alternatively, the cases may be made of material such as leather of a predetermined thickness which is designed to protect the cell phone 200 in the event that the case is dropped or otherwise comes into contact with a hard surface.

In an embodiment, the front panel 104 may comprise a transparent material that allows a user to view the screen of cell phone 200 when cell phone 200 is in the case. In another embodiment, the front panel comprises a membrane that protects the cell phone 200 and also allows a user to operate the cell phone 200 when the cell phone 200 is in the case.

In another embodiment, the case 100 includes a rigid insert 112 (FIG. 5) which is embedded within the body 114 of the case 100 to protect the cell phone 200. In yet another embodiment, the rigid insert 112 can be removed from the case 100 if desired by the user. For example, the user may remove the rigid insert 112 in a professional environment to give the case 100 an aesthetic appeal, and the user may place the rigid insert 112 back into the case 100 while working in an industrial setting or a construction setting where the case 100 is more likely to come up against hard surfaces.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the case 100 may be made from several components that are detachable from the case 100. For example, in an embodiment, the money clip 106 may be detached from the case 100 if the user so desires. The money clip 106 can be reattached to the case 100 at any time using a button, a clasp, or another mechanism. Alternatively, the case 100 may be integrally formed out of a suitable material such as leather or plastic to give the case 100 a uniform look. The invention also provides that the body 114 may be constructed wholly or in part of a buoyant material. In this embodiment, the case 100 can be closed at the top so that the cell phone 200 is protected from water damage if the case 100 is dropped in water. The buoyancy of the case 100 allows the case 100 and the contents to float for easy retrieval by the user. The case 100 and the compartments on the inside of case 100 may be hermetically sealed in an embodiment so the phone 200, the money 300 and the cards 302 are protected in the event that the case 100 comes into contact with water.

In use, a user may choose to operate the case 100 to hold a cell phone 200 and/or as a wallet. The user inserts the cell phone 200 into the opening 110 where the cell phone 200 is secured in the internal compartment (as shown in FIG. 3). The user may choose to close a flap (not shown) to prevent the cell phone 200 from falling out of the case 100 if a flap is provided with the case 100. When the user receives a call or otherwise wants to the use the cell phone 200, he or she retrieves it from the case 100 via the opening 110. When the user is finished with the cell phone 200, he/she inserts it back into the case 100. As mentioned previously, the case 100 also functions as a wallet. For example, the user may desire to store credit cards, bank cards, identification or any other document in slot(s) 102. The slots 102 are conveniently located on the outside of a panel 104 where the card(s) 302 can be easily retrieved and inserted. The user may also desire to secure bills 300 using the money clip 106 which is attached to the panel 104. The user simply opens the clip 106 to retrieve bills and to store bills with the case 100 the user simply closes the money clip 106. When the user makes a purchase, he/she removes the desired method of payment (i.e.—cash from the money clip 106 or a credit/bank card from the slot 102). The user completes the purchase and replaces the method of payment back into its desired position on the case 100 (i.e. back into the money clip 106 and/or the slot 102.

Although the cases 100, 500, 600, 700 illustrated and described herein may be described as having a body with one or more of the following components: rear panel, side panels, bottom panel, front panel, front frame; it will be appreciated that the body of any case of the invention may be a continuous formed wall. The continuous formed wall defines a compartment for holding a cell phone 200, but does not necessarily have distinct front, rear, bottom and components. The terms “rear” and “back” may be used interchangeably herein. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the terms front, back, side, top and bottom used herein refer generally to locations on the case, and not necessarily to distinct structural components. The term “inner” in reference to panels refers to the side of the panels facing the inner compartment. The term “outer” in reference to panels refers to the side of the panels on the exterior of the case.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can take many forms, and that such forms are within the scope of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the descriptions of the preferred versions contained herein. 

1. A case for holding a digital device such as a cell phone, the case comprising: a body comprising a front panel, a back panel, two opposing sides each connected between the front panel and the back panel, and a bottom, the body comprises an opening leading to an inner compartment for holding the digital device, wherein at least one of said panels comprises a money clip for securing bills to the case.
 2. A case according to claim 1 in which at least one of said panels comprises at least one slot for receiving a credit card.
 3. A case according to claim 2 in which said panels comprise an outer side and an inner side wherein said at least one slot is on the outer side of said at least one panel.
 4. A case according to claim 1 in which the body comprises foam to protect the digital device.
 5. A case according to claim 2 in which the body comprises a rigid structure to protect the digital device from damage.
 6. A case according to claim 2 in which the body is integrally formed.
 7. A case according to claim 2 in which the money clip and said at least one slot are on the same panel.
 8. A case for holding a digital device such as a cell phone, the case comprising a body comprising a front panel and a back panel, the front panel and the back panel joined together at the side to form a pocket with a bottom, the body comprising an opening leading to the pocket for holding the digital device, wherein at least one of said panels comprises a money clip for securing bills to the case.
 9. A case according to claim 8 in which at least one of said panels comprises at least one slot for receiving a credit card.
 10. A case according to claim 1 in which the money clip is detachable from the body.
 11. A case for holding a digital device such as a cell phone, the case comprising: a body comprising a rear panel, a front frame, two opposing sides each connected between the rear panel and the front frame, the body further comprising an inner compartment accessible via the front frame, in which the front frame comprises at least one flange for securing the cell phone in the case.
 12. A case according to claim 11 further including a second rear panel hingedly connected to the rear panel such that second rear panel is adapted to swing away and towards the rear panel.
 13. A case according to claim 12 in which the rear panel and the second rear panel are adapted to store bills therebetween.
 14. A case according to claim 13 in which the rear panel and the second rear panel are magnetically attracted.
 15. A case according to claim 11 in which the front frame defines an opening for inserting the cell phone into the case.
 16. A case according to claim 1 further including at least one fastener for at least partially obstructing the opening, the fastener adapted to prevent the device from falling out of the case.
 17. A case according to claim 16 in which the body comprises a loop for receiving an item.
 18. A case according to claim 17 in which the item comprises a lanyard.
 19. A case according to claim 17 in which the item is a keychain.
 20. A case according to claim 1 in which the body is contoured to fit in a user's hand such that the case functions as a clutch. 